Here’s a look at COMLARA Park—also known as COMLARA Park & Evergreen Lake—in McLean County, Illinois. It’s a beautiful, multi-use recreational area worth exploring: https://www.camplife.com/campground/comlara ⸻ Overview & Highlights Location & Size • COMLARA Park spans approximately 1,300 acres and includes Evergreen Lake, which is around 925 acres  . Activities & Amenities • Outdoor recreation: You can enjoy camping, swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use  . • Boating details: Evergreen Lake features a 10 hp motor limit—great for kayaking, sailboat sailing, and paddleboarding. You’ll need a watercraft registration or you can rent at the boat rental facility . • Beach & concessions: The F.R. Glasener Beach is open daily (no lifeguards—swim at your own risk), and there’s a nearby concession stand . Camping Facilities • The park offers 156 individual campsites and 2 group campsites. Types include: • Electrified sites (30 amp/50 amp) • Non-electric sites • Primitive walk-in and primitive walk-in group camps . • Most campsites are seasonal (April 1 to November 1), but sites 1–33 and group camp areas remain open year-round—except during firearm deer hunt weekends  . Reservations & Fees • Campsite reservations for the 2025 season are now being accepted via online, phone, or in-person at the Visitor Center (8 a.m.–6 p.m. daily) . • Overnight pricing (plus reservation fees): • Electric/50 A: ~$35 in person, ~$38 phone/online • Electric/30 A: ~$32–$35 • Non-electric: ~$29–$32 • McLean County residents get a $2/night discount . Wildlife & Conservation • The park participates in a White-tailed Deer Management Program. Hunting (archery and firearm) helps reduce overpopulation—deer densities can exceed 60 per square mile, far above ecological carrying capacity (15–20)  . • Hunting seasons: • Archery: October 1–November 11, 2025 • Firearm: November 21–23 and December 4–7, 2025 . • During certain seasons, parts or all of the park may close to general public access for hunting safety  . Community Contributions & Projects • Local Boy Scouts have contributed: • A bridge built by Boy Scout Ian Gresham • Fishing line recycling tubes installed by Oliver Weber • Benches added through another Eagle Scout project  . • Bluebird houses and wood duck nesting structures have also been donated by local craftspeople . Fireflies — also called lightning bugs — are one of nature’s most magical evening sights, turning summer nights into sparkling light shows. Despite the name, they’re not flies at all — they’re actually a type of beetle from the family Lampyridae. ⸻ How They Glow • Fireflies produce light through a chemical reaction called bioluminescence, which happens in special light-producing organs in their lower abdomen. • The process involves luciferin, luciferase (an enzyme), oxygen, and ATP (cell energy). • The light is “cold” — meaning it doesn’t give off heat — and can be yellow, green, or even bluish, depending on the species. ⸻ Why They Flash 1. Mating Signals – Each species has its own flash pattern so males and females can recognize each other. 2. Predator Deterrence – The light warns predators that fireflies taste bad or are toxic. 3. Communication – Some species use it to signal territory or other social cues. ⸻ Where You’ll See Them • Fireflies love warm, humid environments with lots of vegetation. • They are often found in meadows, forest edges, and near ponds, rivers, or marshes. • In the U.S., they’re common in the Midwest, South, and parts of the East — but rare in drier western regions. ⸻ Life Cycle • Eggs are laid in soil or leaf litter. • Larvae, sometimes called “glowworms,” live in the soil for 1–2 years, eating snails, worms, and other small creatures. • Adults usually live only a few weeks — just long enough to find a mate and lay eggs. ⸻ Conservation Concerns Firefly populations are declining in some areas due to: • Habitat loss (development, light pollution, pesticide use) • Artificial lighting that disrupts mating signals • Environmental changes from climate shifts ⸻ Fun Facts • Some species synchronize their flashing so hundreds blink together — a breathtaking natural display. • In Japan, fireflies (hotaru) are celebrated as symbols of love and the fleeting beauty of life. • Not all fireflies glow — some use scent instead of light to attract mates. CampH54 is a production of Birdman Media™ www.birdman.media Also check out our newest sponsor - Pinetop Coffee House & Roasting Company
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